"Therefore she said to
Abraham, 'Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not
be an heir with my son Isaac.' And the
matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son. But God said to Abraham, 'Do not be
distressed because of the land and your maid; whatever Sara tells you, listen
to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.
"'And of the son of the
maid I will make a nation also, because he is your descendant.' So Abraham rose early in the morning, and
took bread and a skin of water, and gave them to Hagar, putting then on her
shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the
wilderness of Beersheba."
Genesis 21:10-14
Sin
has consequences. Where Abraham AND
Sarah rejoiced when Ishmael was born and were grateful for Haggar's
contribution to their plot to get around God's delay, now the jealousy from
their own personal gratification of having Isaac caused pain to all involved
They
were in the middle of a harsh and vast desert.
As Abraham equipped Hagaar for a journey that could only have resulted
in doom for the child and the mother, how sad he must have been. However, God still had His plan that He would
work around their disobedience. It would
never be as perfect as He had imagined, and would always cause trouble into the
future, but would bring Him Glory nevertheless.
"But it is not as though
the word of God has failed. For they are
not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are all children because
they are Abraham's descendants, but 'through Isaac your descendants will be
named.' That is, it is not the children
of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are
regarded as the descendants. For this is
a word of promise, 'At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.'" Romans 9:6-9
Take
care with love, especially His! Your
servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS:
ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY? Please send
updates! For any of you who wonder if
prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and
see the hand of our loving Father in action!
URGENT
PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Adrian, he is in pain and
unable to sleep as the treatment has just begun to kill his immune system
before they replace his T-cells in the hope of stopping this cancer. He will be in isolation in Royal Brisbane Hospital
for 4-6 weeks. If any of you can help by sending him an email or card and
perhaps paying him a visit in a couple of weeks, please contact me. PB
needs a heart-kidney transplant and is waiting in the hospital now.
NEW
PRAYER REQUESTS. My project, actually
the product and entire department where I was working, has been dissolved. Please pray for the wisdom of my next steps.
Deepak:(who still
needs our prayers for his situation) asks that we please pray for Melanie Karunaratne, a young
mother who has two little boys and is in the hospital with cancer. Raven - they found a lump under her
arm and are doing further tests.
Pray
for Paul R, that his present
challenges will work out and that he would grow his time management skills. Pray for Milo
and Sabine as they travel to Germany, that they are safe and healthy
and accomplish what they need to during the next six weeks.
PRAISE
& THANKSGIVING: Betinna’s husband, Jim (with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) got
to go out for the first time on Monday, his birthday! Please thank everyone again, for their
prayers. She sent this message today for
Adrian: "Jim and I can send an encouraging
email. We know that God is God and that
He has Adrian in His hands."
Isaias is feeling better, yet some of
his family seems also to be unwell now.
Also thank you for the local support Isaias has been given. PNS
is finally recovering and will be here for a visit soon. Thank you, Father for giving me the ability
to get on line again and for this unexpected
time of rest and reflection.
PRAY
FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: David R doing well through
complicated health challenges. Tim (my little brother) with
CPRD, needs financial help and satisfying work.
For Audley and Beverly’s
situation and his new endeavour.
For Carlton still suffering from
horrible infections and pain in his bones.
For Nancy who is
growing stronger and for Fred
as he cares for her. For PJ
ONGOING
JOB RELATED: Barbara (sister-in-law) eager to find new work since her
project ended. Be with Hans as he struggles through
changes in his life – that he will cling quietly to the Lord.
ONGOING
PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray the Lord’s hand is
dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this
devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His
purposes in surprising and wonderful ways!
Carla & Paul K for good results from their
business plans. Please pray for Deborah as she deals with a
difficult situation, that she would keep her focus where it must be and that
her hurting heart is soothed by the Father as He brings about the result that
is His will.
For
Tarrega, as his hearts
settles and strengthens. For Linda and Ian. For Rob
and his daughter. For Reg. Pray for Annette
and her career adventures. Pray for
wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter. For David
K, in his studies and Matthew
K as he grows up. Elaine and Jim back in Hong
Kong.
PRAY
FOR THE WORLD: God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children
there and for the many nations and individuals suffering from global financial
mismanagement. Pray for the Catholic
Church and that the new Pope
will always put Jesus first.
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